CertaPro’s Approach To Large-Scale Commercial Painting Projects

As examples on how best to run large and complex projects, we have outlined below two of our recent large commercial painting projects:

Exterior painting of a 20-building condominium community in East Boston, MA

• • Included extensive carpentry repairs using Hardi-Plank
  • This included using lifts to expedite the painting
  • Permits to execute the repairs
  • Police detail to control sidewalk traffic when lifts were in use

Interior painting of dozens of common areas and hallways in a 150-unit apartment complex in New Bedford, MA:

• • Repainting the lobby, walls, chair rails, baseboards, and ceilings

    

  • Interior painting to doors & door frames
  • Preparation included repairing holes in walls with joint compound, sanding, and spot-priming.
  • Working around other trades (plumbing and HVAC) to stage the project and ensure none of us are getting in each other’s way.
  • Expert project management was used to ensure painters were on time and within budget.
  • Safety considerations included detouring foot traffic.

In both of the above projects, we pre-planned the following:

Understanding the Project Scope

• • It was essential to have a clear project scope to estimate the project accurately so there would be no surprises for the client during the project.  Without a clear scope, clients run the risk of the contractor finding extras to add during the project, which can kill the client’s budget.
  • CertaPro helped the client build the bid package so every contractor was bidding “apples-to-apples.”
  • Analyzed surfaces, environmental factors, and client expectations.

Site Assessment

• • Defined goals and requirements upfront.
  • Performed a thorough site assessment to evaluate surface conditions, necessary repairs, and accessibility.  In the case of the exterior project above, it was determined that using lifts would be more cost-efficient than ladders so that the crews could paint faster.
  • Collaborated with clients to align objectives, timelines, and expectations.  We wrote all of this down in the proposal so we could ensure that the client only had to tell their story once, and the information would be relayed to the painting professionals and supervisors.

Project Planning and Logistics

• • Developed a comprehensive project plan covering all phases.  This included small things like where to park the contractor vans and larger issues like how to ensure crew members were lift-certified for safety.
  • Created a customized timeline to minimize business disruptions.  This resulted in both of the above projects being completed before the deadlines the Client set.
  • Managed scheduling to ensure no disruptions to the communities.

High-Quality Materials and Equipment

• Both jobs required premium-grade paints for durability.  This helps the project last longer and ultimately allows the community to spend their money elsewhere because they don’t need to paint as often.
• We used high-efficiency spray systems, which allows the project to move much faster than rolling.

Project Management and Supervision

• A dedicated project manager oversaw each project, ensuring that what the client asked for on day one was being executed.
• We maintained clear communication and reported each day via text, phone, and email.  This kept the property managers in the loop in case a resident called them with questions.
• A final walkthrough was completed with clients to ensure expectations are met, and all touch-ups are done.

Key takeaways of this article:

1. Clear Scope Saves Money & Avoids Surprises – Defining the project scope upfront prevented unexpected costs and ensured contractors bid fairly, helping clients stay on budget.
2. Thoughtful Planning Minimizes Disruptions – A well-structured plan, including logistics like parking and lift certification, kept projects on schedule and reduce impact on businesses and communities.
3. Communication & Quality Ensure Satisfaction – Daily updates, premium materials, and dedicated project management led to faster completion and long-lasting results.